The Youngsters Take Over At The Tampa Equestrian Festival

Tampa, FL - The first order of business today during the Suncoast Internationale at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center, was to crown the champion and reserve champion in the Amateur-Owner Hunter division. True to form, Betty Oare of Warrenton, VA and L'Alezon clinched the division with two more winning efforts. Bling Bling and Jennifer Farri of Brooksville, FL were named the reserve champion, placing second and third in the two classes today. 

With those classes completed, the first day of competition for those riders under 18 years of age began. The first division to see action was the Large Junior Hunters. Taylor Ann Adams piloted Social Circle to win both classes.

"I love this horse," said Adams. "He is owned by Sheila Motley. I rode him last year and then she bought him. It's great that I still get to ride him. He is a very, very good boy. He could probably do the course without me."

The Small Junior Hunters were up next and Caitie Hope of Barrington Hills, IL and her mount Lyle finished the morning with a first and a second place ribbon in their classes.

"Lyle is amazing, a true once in a lifetime horse," said a beaming Hope. "He knows his job. I just show him where he is going and then leave him alone."

Competition for the Suncoast Internationale wraps up tomorrow with championships for the junior, children's and pony hunters. The Tampa Equestrian Festival runs from March 19-April 6, 2008. The highlight class for hunters at the Tampa Equestrian Festival is the $20,000 ASG Software Solutions USHJA International Hunter Derby. The class will host a "Tradition, Tailgate, Top Hot, and Tails" party and will be held on Sunday, April 6, at 1 p.m. at Wrenwood Farm in Naples, FL.

For more information on the Tampa Equestrian Festival, please visit www.stadiumjumping.com.

Photo Credit: Lyle and Caitie Hope, winners in the Small Junior Hunters at the first week of the Tampa Equestrian Festival. Photo (C) 2008 Jennifer Wood/PMG.